Makeup Mishap: How to Remove Tough Stains

Photo Credit: University of Illinois

Makeup can be a woman’s best accessory— a bold lip or a bronze glow can completely revamp your go-to look. But sometimes, it seems like your makeup is magnetically attracted to everything white in your wardrobe. No matter how careful you are, it always seems like within minutes, bits of your perfectly made-up face are on your shirt collar. We’ll show you exactly what to do to next time it happens.

Liquid Foundation

Scoop as much off as possible with a spoon or even a card, but be careful not to push it into the fabric. Blot the area gently with a paper towel until no more makeup comes out. Apply a generous amount of baking soda onto the area and then scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Most liquid foundations are oil based, and the baking soda will ball up when it soaks up excess oil, making your job that much easier. Lastly, wash your garment with a 4-in-1 Booster Pac to knock out the remaining stain!

Blush, Bronzer, or Any Powder Shadows

Isolate the area, turn it upside down, and shake it out to remove any loose powder. Rinse the area from the back of the stain to push the powder back through the fabric. If the stain is still very visible, pretreat the area with detergent (our Dropps Minis are the perfect size for pretreating!) and then wash as normal.

Mascara or Gel Liners

Scoop any clumps or excess off with a spoon or knife, carefully avoiding pushing it into the fabric. Blot the area gently with a damp towel and rinse thoroughly. Pretreat the area with a 4-in-1 Booster Pac, and watch the stain disappear. Wash normally with your favorite detergent.

Lipstick

Rinse the area from the back of the stain to push any pigment back through the fabric, and pretreat with a 4-in-1 Booster Pac and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush or sponge until the stain is no longer (or barely) visible. Lastly, wash with a tough detergent to clear out any remaining makeup from your garment.

Bonus Tip: Lipstick stains can be tough—especially those bold reds! It’s best to treat these tough stains immediately, but in a pinch, a spritz of hairspray can keep the stain from setting in the fabric until you launder.